Container orientation mechanism



Nov. 7, 1967 W. E. ERICKSON ETAL CONTAINER ORIENTATION MECHANISM Filed Oct. 22, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ON M W INVENTORS. WARREN E. ER/CKSON ROEQQT r. MEINEN -7dndrus 2 Star/ 2 Nov. 7, 1967 w. E. ERICKSON ETAL 3,351,175

CONTAINER ORIENTATION MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001:. 22, 1965 Nov. 7, 1967 w. E. ERICKSON ETAL 3,351,175

CONTAINER ORIENTATION MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTORS.

M m cmm M 6 4r ma/7 REYVA wad wRm7 United States Patent 3,351,175 CONTAINER ORIENTATION MECHANISIW Warren E. Erickson, 200 E. 7th St., Muscatine, Iowa 52761, and Robert T. Meinen, 1127 S. 6th St., Pekin, II]. 61554 Filed Get. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,311 16 Claims. (Cl. 19830) This invention relates to a container orientation mechanism, and more particularly to a machine for receiving a plurality of containers in random array, arranging them in orderly position, and feeding them in a timed manner onto a conveyor or the like.

In a bottling line or the like, it is often necessary to place a plurality of bottles at the input end of the conveyor so that the bottles may be fed down the line for filling or other operations. Heretofore, machines used for this purpose have been incapable of properly orienting and timing the bottles without the danger of bottle jamups and breakage, especially at high speeds. To the knowledge of the inventors, high speed accurate delivery of properly spaced bottles onto a conveyor has not heretofore been possible.

The machine of the present invention solves the above and other problems relative to container handling, and provides a safe, efiicient, improved device for use in feeding containers onto a conveyor.

Generally in accordance with the present invention, the device includes conveyor means for receiving batches of bottles or the like in relatively random array and for moving them into a plurality of orderly rows. Multiple gate means are included at the end of the rows for holding the bottles back and then releasing them for movement into a positive bottled drive mechanism which is timed to the gate means. The drive mechanism delivers the bottles in an orderly and properly spaced manner onto the line conveyor.

More specifically, a novel gate operating mechanism is provided which utilizes a cam mechanism and a phase advancing mechanism therefor. The gates are biased against the pressure of the back-log of bottles, and may be easily disconnected from the main drive mechanism. In addition, the positive bottle drive mechanism includes a novel clutch mechanism for preventing damage to bottles.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention, In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, with parts broken away, and showing the drive mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the discharge end of the device with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the gate drive mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the gate actuating mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of a portion of the gate actuating mechanism;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section of the paddle chain drive sprocket mechanism and showing the clutch; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing the phase advancing mechanism control.

As best shown in FIGS. l-3 of the drawings, the machine of the invention may be mounted on a suitable frame 1 and comprises generally a loading portion 2, a separating portion 3, a gate portion 4, and a positive drive discharge portion 5. The machine is adapted for movement of a plurality of containers, such as bottles 6,

through the various above-mentioned portions. For this purpose, an endless conveyor 7 is disposed to carry bottles 6 through the machine. Conveyor 7 is shown as comprising a multi-sectioned belt mounted so that its top provides a flat bottle-carrying table 8 from the loading to the discharge end of the machine. The conveyor is mounted for movement over a plurality of transversely spaced idler sprockets 9 at the loading end. At the discharge end, conveyor 7 is mounted for movement over a plurality of transversely spaced driver sprockets and a drive sprocket 10. Only one idler sprocket 9 and the drive sprocket 10 are shown.

Means are provided to operate the entire machine, including conveyor 7, in synchronism. For this purpose, a motor 11 is secured to frame 1 below table 8, Motor 11 is drivingly connected to a suitable gear reducer 12 having a rotatable sprocket 13. A chain drive 14 extends between sprockets 13 and 10 to drive conveyor 7.

Bottles to be timed and oriented are initially dumped right side up, and in random array if desired, onto conveyor 7 at the loading end. With motor 11 running, the conveyor will carry the bottles into the separating portion 3 of the machine. This portion comprises a plurality of transversely spaced separator rail members 15 which are mounted above table 8 and extend longitudinally to form a plurality of bottle carrying channels. Members 15 are hung from a plurality of transversely extending bars 16 having slots 17 therein to permit adjustment of members 15 to widen or narrow the channels. The initially random bottles are thus separated into orderly rows and are carried through the channels to the machines gate portion 4.

In order to time the bottles for orderly discharge from the machine, gate means are provided to initially position successive bottles in each row so that they contact each other and are then released in a timed manner to discharge drive portion 5.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, an elongated rectangular frame portion 18 is disposed above table 8 forward of separator members 15, and extends transversely and at an acute angle of approximately 30 to the main conveyor. Frame portion 18 is shown in FIG. 3 as having a closed top while in FIG. 6 the top is removed. An axially reciprocable rod 19 extends the length of frame 18 and is mounted in suitable bearings for movement through a plurality of central support plates 20 and end plates 21 and 22. A plurality of blocks 23 are spaced along rod 19, with each block being disposed approximately in line with separator members 15 which extend to beneath frame portion 18. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the underside of each block 23 is provided with a channel which receives a roller 24 on one end of a horizontal lever armm 25. The other end of arm 25 has fixed therein the top end of a shaft 26 which extends downwardly through a support 27 which forms a forward extension of a separator member 15. The lower end of each shaft is provided with a paddle-like gate 28 which extends into the path of a bottle 6 for a distance approximately equal to a bottle radius. A similar gate 28 and associated mechanism is connected to a block 23 on. the opposite side of the bottle channel, with the pair of gates extending towardeach other and serving to block bottle movement. The end blocks 23 serve to support only one gate mechanism, while the intermediate blocks 23 support a gate mechanism at each end, with the two gates blocking adjacent bottles.

FIG. 6 shows the gate mechanism in normal position to hold bottles back. Simultaneous opening of the gates is caused by shifting of rod 19 to the left. This causes rollers 24 to move with blocks 23 to pivot their lever arms 25 and thus turn shafts 26 about their respective axes to horizontally turn gates 28. Adjacent shafts 26 on the same 3 block tu'rn oppositely; that is, one rotates clockwise and the other counterclockwise.

Rod 19 is reciprocated in timed relation with the rest of the machine. For this purpose, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 "and 5 gear reducer 12 is provided with an output shaf 29 having a sprocket 30 for receiving a drive chain 31. The other end of chain 31 is connected to a sprocket 32 mounted on the outer end of a stub shaft 33 which is rotatably mounted in bearings in frame 1. A gear 34 fixed to shaft 33 meshes with a second gear 35 on one end of a rotatable phase shifter shaft 36. Another gear 37 is disposed on the other end of shaft 36 and rnashes with a gear 38 on another stub shaft 38 disposed coaxially with shaft 33 and rotatably mounted in suitable hearings in frame 1.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer end portion of shaft 38 is enlarged, as at 39, and an annular cam disc 40 fits over the circumferential surface thereof and is adjustably secured thereto. For this purpose, an annular flanged plate 41 is keyed to the outer end of shaft 38' and engages the outer face of enlarged portion 39. A plurality of bolts 42 extend through plate 41 into disc 40 to secure disc 40 for rotation with the shaft. Plate 41 is provided with slots 43 through which bolts 42 extend. Thus, cam disc 40 may be rotatably shifted relative to shaft 38' for synchronization purposes.

A cam member 44 is adjustably mounted along the outer face portion of disc 40. As shown, cam 44 includes a pair of inclined portions 45 joined by a flat portion 46 for purposes to be described.

Cam 44 is utilized to simultaneously open and close gates 28. For this purpose, a roller type cam follower 47 is mounted on one end of a horizontal lever arm 48-. The other end of arm 48 fixedly receives the lower end of a dual segment vertical shaft 49, 50. As best shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the upper end of shaft 49, 50 is secured to the outer end of a lever arm 51 which extends inwardly toward rod 19 at one end thereof. The inner end of arm 51 is connected through a suitable linkage 52 to a block 53 which is fixed to rod 19.

Operation of motor 11 thus causes disc '40 to rotate. As cam 44 rotates with disc 40, follower 47 ride s onto the cam and turns shaft 49, 5 0, and lever arm 51. This causes rod 19 to reciprocate to thereby open and'close gates '28. The machine speed and cam configuration are correlated to permit only one bottle 6 to be released from each channel at a time before the gates close. Cam portion 46 permits a dwell so that gates 28 remain open sufiiciently long to permit bottles to clear the gates-Continued operation of the cam drive causes continued reciprocation of rod 19 so that bottles are timingly released from each channel insuccession.

In some instances it may be desirable to disengage the gate drive while permitting the rest of the machine to continue operating. For this purpose, shaft segments 49 and 50 are joined by a releasable connection shown in FIG. 4. The upper end of shaft 49 has an arm 54 fixed thereto, and the lower adjacent end of shaft 50 has a corresponding arm 55 fixed thereto and normally coextensive with arm 54. Upper arm 55 has a vertical plunger 56 therein which is biased downwardly by a suitable spring 57 and which will enter a hole 58 in arm 54 when the arms are aligned. The upper end oflplunger 56 is provided with a horizontal pin 59 which is releasable from a slot 60 in the surrounding spring housing 61 to release the fixed connection between shaft segments 49 and 50.

In accordance with the invention, a biasing means for rod 19 is provided to maintain cam follower 47 in engagement with cam 44 and to also assure that gates 28 remain closed against the force of a line of bottles tending to open them. For this purpose, a plurality of springs 62 are mounted between support plate 21 and a brace 63 secured to rod 19. The construction is such that springs 62 are under compression to thereby exert a force biasing rod 19 toward the gate-closed position. In addition, a second plurality of springs 64 are mounted between support plate 22 and a brace 65 secured to rod 19. In this instance,

springs 64 are under tension to exert a force on rod 19 in t the same direction as spring '62.

To cushion the return of rod 19 to normal position and thereby protect bottles from severe shock as gates 28 close a cushioned resilient bumper 66 is mounted adjacent the return end of rod 19 and generally coaxial therewith. Normally, bumper 66 and rod 19 are spaced slightly apart. Reciprocating actuation of the rod causes its return end to initially move away from bumper 66. When rod 19 returns, this end will engage bumper den positive stop of the rod and gates. There will be a slight re-bound effect, thus protecting bottles 6.

As batches of bottles in spaced succession are released from gate portion 4, they continued to travel on conveyor 7 to the positive drive discharge portion 5 of the machine. Portion 5 is constructed and timed to receive a plurality of batches of side-by-side oriented bottles, each batch following the other in succession, to orient the bottles into a single continuous line, and to drivingly discharge them in properly spaced relation from the machine.

'For this purpose, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the output shaft 29 of gear reducer 12 extends outwardly to a second gear reducer '67 which has a vertical shaft 68 extending upwardly therefrom. The upper end of shaft 68 has keyed thereto a drive sprocket 69 disposed on one side of the machine. A 'pair of adjacent idler sprockets 70 and 71 are disposed on the opposite side of the machine. Sprockets 69 and 70 are angularly disposed across the machine so that they are generally parallel to the angularly extending gate frame portion 18. An endless horizontal paddle chain 72 is mounted over sprockets 67, 70 and 71 and is driven by sprocket 69. A plurality of L-shaped paddles 73 are suitably secured to chain 72 at equally spaced points therealong. As each batch of bottles 6 is released from the row of gates, they travel to the paddle chain and each bottle enters a space between paddles 73 and is engaged by the front drive face of the respective paddle. The side-by-side bottles are then carried transversely to the side of the machine where they may be discharged onto a suitable conveyor 74.

When conveyor 74 is parallel to the machines longi 'tudinal axis, a guide rail 75 may be utilized to change the direction of bottle movement. In addition, it has "been found that a smooth flow of bottles onto conveyor 74 is assured by extending paddle chain 72 generally along the conveyor. Thus, sprocket 71 is positioned so that chain 72 extends a short distance along the conveyor and recedes therefrom at an angle approximately -12 to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

In the event that a bottle jam should occur in the discharge area, means are provided to stop motor 11. For this purpose, and as shown in FIG. 8, drive sprocket 69 is provided with aplurality of circumferentially spaced openings 76 adapted to receive a plurality of balls 77 therein. Balls 77 normally extend downwardly into a plurality of corresponding aligned slots 78 in the outer face of a sprocket hub 79. A cap 80 is freely mounted on shaft 68 over sprocket 69 and has an annular rim 81 which is biased against balls 77 by a spring 82 suitably mounted thereabove. In the event that a jam-up causes undue pressure on sprocket 69 which resists the driving force of shaft 68, balls 77 will tend to rise out "of the receptacle formed by said openings 76 and slots 78. This will raise cap 80 which in turn will actuate a microswitch 83 which in turn will shut off motor 11 through suitable electric circuitry 84. As soon as the pressure is relieved, spring 82 will force balls 77 back into openings 76.

It is important that batches of bottles are released from gates 28 at-exactly the right moment and travel at the correct speed to paddle chain 72. The various drives for the conveyor, gate mechanism and paddle chain are constructed and synchronized to do this. Various size and shape containers can beaccommodated by changing the shape of cam 44 and theshape andspacing of pad 66 and prevent a suddles 73. Minor adjustments in timing can be made by adjusting the position of cam disc 40 relative to shaft 38'.

During start-up of the machine, it has been found that 4 to 6 seconds elapse before the machine gets up to full speed. During this time, bottles may be released from gates 28, and it has been found necessary to compensate for the variation in bottle advance from the gates to the paddle chain during speed-up, due to the synchronized drive of all machine components. Means are therefor provided to vary the phase relationship between cam 44 and the remainder of the drive mechanism during operation at a non-constant rate of speed.

For this purpose, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, phase shifter shaft 36 is mounted for rotation in bearings 85 in the outer end of a crank arm 86. Arm 86 is bifurcated at its inner end to provide a pair of legs 87 which are mounted for rotation about bearings 88 on stub shafts 33 and 38'. Arm 86 is thus rotatable about the axis of shafts 33 and 38' to thereby vary the position or phase of shaft 38' and cam 44 relative to the rest of the synchronized drive mechanism.

The means for rotating arm 86 comprises a piston 89, shown as hydraulic in nature and having a rod 90 pivotally mounted to the outer end of arm 86. See FIGS. 4 and 9. The opposite ends of piston 89 are connected through hydraulic lines 91 and 92 to suitable oil reservoirs 93 and 94, which in turn are connected through air lines 95 and 96 to a suitable four-way solenoid controlled valve 97 of any well-known type. Valve 97 is provided with an inlet 98 for pressurized air and a pair of air exhaust outlets 99 and 100.

Valve 97 is actuated by suitable electric circuitry, not shown, connected to the motor control circuit. When motor 11 is started, valve 97 will be actuated so that air enters reservoir 93, forcing oil through line 91 into piston 89 to extend rod 90 and shaft crank arm 86. At the same time, oil in the other end of piston 89 will flow through line 92 to reservoir 94 and air will be forced through valve 97 and out one of the air outlets.

Thus, as the machine gradually speeds up, piston 89 will shift crank arm 31 to move the variable position gear train so that the phase of cam 44 and the resultant gate operation is gradually shifted. When the machine reaches full speed, rod 90 will become fully extended and the phase relationship will remain constant. Upon shutting down the machine, the operation of the phase shifter is substantially the opposite.

Means are provided to achieve proper coordination between the acceleration and deceleration of the machine and the rate of movement of piston rod 90. For this purpose, adjustable flow control valves 101 and 102 are disposed in piston actuating lines 91 and 92.

The invention provides a novel mechanism for receiving and positioning containers. The entire device is fully synchronized and easily adjustable for proper relative timing of its various components. Various safety devices are included, and compensating means are provided for automatically changing the phase relationship of certain elements during acceleration and deceleration of the machine.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

We claim:

1. A machine for handling containers comprising:

(a) a longitudinal conveyor,

(b) conveyor drive means for moving containers through the machine,

(c) channel means disposed above said conveyor for receiving a plurality of randomly positioned containers and for orienting them into a plurality of sideby-side rows,

(d) a separate gate disposed at the end of each channel and horizontally movable between open and closed positions above said conveyor and with the gates extending transversely at an acute angle to the conveyor,

(e) gate actuating means connected to and synchronous with said conveyor drive means and con structed to successively open and close said gates simultaneously so that batches of side-by-side containers are released successively for continued travel on said conveyor,

(f) a container discharge device disposed in the path of movement of said containers above said conveyor and extending at an acute angle to said conveyor and generally parallel to said gates for receiving containers therefrom and reorienting them into a single row of spaced side-by-side containers for discharge from the machine.

(g) and containers discharge device drive means connected to and synchronous with said conveyor drive means and said gate actuating means.

2. The machine of claim 1 in which:

(a) each said gate comprises a pair of opposed half portions extending toward each other across the path of said containers,

(b) an elongated rod extending parallel to the said gates,

(c) and connecting means disposed between said rod and each said gate half portion and with said connecting means being pivotable relative to said rod,

((1) the construction being such that axial reciprocation of said rod causes the said connecting means to pivot to thereby open or close said gates simultaneously.

3. The machine of claim 2 in which the connecting means for each said pair of opposed gate half portions are constructed to simultaneously pivot in opposite directrons upon reciprocation of said rod.

4. The machine of claim 2 which includes biasing ineans to bias said rod to a normally gate-closed posiion.

5. The machine of claim 4 in which said comprises:

(a) a first fixed support,

(b) a compression spring connected between said support and one end portion of said rod, 7 (c) a second fixed support,

(d) and a tension spring connected between said second support and said rod,

6. The machine of claim 2 which includes means to cushion the return of said gates to closed position.

7. The machine of claim 6 in which said return cushion means comprises a resilient bumper disposed ad acent the return end of said rod and engageable there- -8. The machine of claim 2 actuating means comprises:

(a) a motor,

(b) rotatable shaft means connected to be driven by said motor,

(0) a cam mounted on said therewith,

(d) and linkage means connecting said cam follower with said rod for reciprocating the latter in synchronism with rotation of said cam.

9. The machine of claim 8 which includes means in said linkage means for selectively disconnecting said rod from said motor.

10. The machine of claim 9 in which:

(a) said linkage means includes a rotatable vertical shaft including separate upper and lower segments having adjacent ends,

(b) and said disconnecting means comprises:

(1) an arm fixed to the end portion of each segment, (2) an opening in one of said arms,

biasing means in which the said gate shaft means for rotation (3) a plunger mounted in said other arm and normally disposed in said opening,

(4) and releasable means biasing said plunger toward said opening.

11. The machine of claim 1 which includes: means for automatically varying the phase relationship between said gate actuating means and both said drive means during operation of said machine at a non-constant rate of speed.

12. The machine of claim 8 which includes: means for automatically varying the phase relationship between said cam and said motor during operation of said machine at a nonconstant rate of speed.

13. The machine of claim 12 in which said varying means comprises a variable position gear train disposed in said shaft means, and means to vary the relative position of the gears in said train during acceleration and deceleration of said machine.

14. The machine of claim 13 in which said last-named means comprises a hydraulic piston, and means responsive to actuation of said motor to operate said piston.

15. The machine of claim 1 in which said container discharge device comprises:

(a) a driven sprocket connected to said container discharge device drive means and disposed adjacent one side of the machine,

(b) a pair of adjacent idler sprockets disposed on the other side of said machine,

(c) a chain mounted on said sprockets,

(d) and container-engaging paddles spaced along said chain,

(e) said idler sprockets being positioned so that said chain extends therebetween at an acute angle to the longitudinal machine axis.

16. A machine for handling containers, comprising:

(a) a motor,

(b) a longitudinal container conveyor connected to said motor,

(c) channel means disposed above said conveyor for receiving a plurality of randomly positioned containe'rs and for orienting them into a plurality of side-by-side rows,

(d) a separate gate disposed at the end of each channel above said conveyor and with the gates extending transversely at an acute angle thereto,

(e) each said gate comprising a pair of opposed half portions extending toward each other across the path of said containers,

(f) an axially reciprocable rod extending ,parallel to said gates,

(g) connecting means disposed between said rod and each said gate half portion and with said connecting means being pivotable relative to said rod,

(h) actuating means to axially reciprocate said *rod to pivot said connecting means to thereby open and close said gates simultaneously, said actuating means comprising:

(1) a rotatable shaft connected to be driven by said motor,

(2) a cam mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith,

(3) a cam follower,

(4) linkage means connecting said cam follower with said rod for reciprocating the latter in synchronism with said cam,

(5) and means in said linkage means for selectively disconnecting said rod from said motor,

(i) biasing means to bias said rod to a normally gatea closed position, said biasing means comprising:

(1) a first fixed support, (2) a compression spring connected between said support and one end portion of said rod, (3) a second fixed support,

(4) and a tension spring connected between said second support and said rod,

(j) a resilient bumper disposed adjacent the return end of said rod and engageable thereby to cushion the return of said gates to closed position,

(k) a container discharge device disposed in the path of movement of said containers above said conveyor and extending generally parallel to said gates for receiving containers therefrom and reorienting them into a single row of spaced containers for discharge from the machine, said device comprising:

(1) a driven sprocket disposed adjacent one side of the machine,

(2) a drive connection between said driven sprocket and said motor,

(3) a pair of adjacent idler sprockets disposed on the other side of said machine,

(4) a chain mounted on said sprockets,

(5) and container-engaging paddles spaced along said chain,

(6) said idler sprockets being positioned so that said chain extends therebetween at an acute angle to the longitudinal machine axis,

(1) pressure responsive means in said drive connection for stopping said motor when resistance to movement of said driven sprocket is encountered.

(m) and means for automatically varying the phase relationship between said cam and said motor during operation of said machine at a non-constant rate of speed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,903 3/1953 Currivan 198232 X 2,744,611 5/1956 Jenney 198-32 3,231,062 1/1966 Phillips 198-3 X EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD A. SROKA, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MACHINE FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS COMPRISING: (A) A LONGITUDINAL CONVEYOR, (B) CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS FOR MOVING CONTAINERS THROUGH THE MACHINE, (C) CHANNEL MEANS DISPOSED ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR FOR RECEIVING A PLURALITY OF RANDOMLY POSITIONED CONTAINERS AND FOR ORIENTING THEM INTO A PLURALITY OF SIDEBY-SIDE ROWS, (D) A SEPARATE GATE DISPOSED AT THE END OF EACH CHAN-NEL AND HORIZONTAL MOVABLE BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR AND WITH THE GATES EXTGENDING TRANSVERSELY AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO THE CONVEYOR, (E) GATE ACTUATING MEANS CONNECTED TO AND SYNCHRONOUS WITH SAID CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS AND CONSTRUCTED TO SUCCESSIVELY OPEN AND CLOSE SAID GATES SIMULTANEOUSLY SO THAT BATCHES OF SIDE-BY-SIDE CONTAINERS ARE RELEASED SUCCESSIVELY FOR CONTINUED TRAVEL ON SAID CONVEYOR, (F) A CONTAINER DISCHARGE DEVICE DISPOSED IN THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID CONTAINERS ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR AND EXTENDING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO SAID CONVEYOR AND GENERALLY PARALLEL TO SAID GATES FOR RECEIVING CONTAINERS THEREFROM AND REORIENTING THEM INTO A SINGLE ROW OF SPACED SIDE-BY-SIDE CONTAINERS FOR DISCHARGE FROM THE MACHINE. (G) AND CONTAINERS DISCHARGE DEVICE DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO AND SYNCHRONUOUS WITH SAID CONVEYOR DRIVE MEANS AND SAID GATE ACTUATING MEANS. 